Kirk Brennan

Director of Admission

B.A. Cinema-Television
University of Southern California

Territory:
Sierra Canyon HS, Oaks Christian HS

My roots are in south-central Pennsylvania, but my parents moved to Southern California shortly after I was born. I grew up mostly around Long Beach (a Millikan alum — go Rams!), and attended USC. I studied filmmaking with a dream to change the world by telling stories that must be told, by bringing forward voices we all need to hear. A job I thought would be temporary became my dream career, for we in college admission work to change the world every day. What a wonderful, fortunate coincidence.

Why USC?
It felt right when I visited campus and experienced the spirit, felt the supportive atmosphere, and took in the beautiful campus. I still find it odd that my high school geography instructor encouraged me to go to Berkeley instead. For me that made no sense.

Admission Advice:
I believe the most successful applicants care not about advice of the admission counselors, but instead strive to expand their minds as best they can, while also seeking enriching life experiences. So I offer this advice anyway: Do your very best in the toughest classes you can handle.

Movie: I move between Apocalypse Now and African Queen. And here’s a weird coincidence: Both are anti-war epics, both were filmed under extremely difficult conditions, and both are set on a twisting, jungle river.Food: Anything prepared by my wife, or by David Myers.Role Model: My old man.Musical Performer: I like anything with genuine, sincere emotional expression: mostly rock, but also opera, hip-hop, punk, New-Wave, shouting, laughing, crying. The best is Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.Book: Love Gatsby, Mockingbird. Greg Rucka’s Kodiak series is fun. David Sedaris just kills me.

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